Pratchett’s Discworld novels are always an excellent read (we
rely on them to help us through long train and plane journeys) and this is one
of the best. With Ankh-Morpork threatened by a magic super-weapon (which the
wizards have nothing to do with) so the eccentric yet believable Watch save the
day. With Carrot, the 6’ 6” dwarf, courting and his boss, Vimes, getting married
into the gentry, duty still comes first.
Light yet deep, this Discworld volume, perhaps more than
others explores so many real-life issues with insight and awareness. You think
we, in human society, have problems with ethnic issues? Try adding trolls,
dwarfs and werewolves to the mix! And what about this: wolf + human = dog.
Fascinating.
As I laughed and cried reading Men At Arms, I wasn’t consciously thinking of the parallels between
Discworld and Earth, but my mind was inevitably making them . . .and I smiled
even more! Thinking of studying sociology or psychology? You might learn just
as much reading Pratchett . . . and
probably have more fun in the process.
